New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🌡️ Tropical

Sheepshead swordtail

Xiphophorus birchmanni Lechner & Radda, 1987
Max Length
7 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.1
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
27.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Sheepshead swordtail (Xiphophorus birchmanni) is a ray-finned fish of the family Poeciliidae. It inhabits freshwater waters. This species can reach a maximum total length of 7 cm. With a trophic level of 3.1, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Scientific Name
Xiphophorus birchmanni
Authority
Lechner & Radda, 1987
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
7 cm
Trophic Level
3.1
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
27.00/100
Water Temp
24–28 °C
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Sheepshead swordtail is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Sheepshead swordtail is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Sheepshead swordtail is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

After 28 days gestation, the female produces 20 to 40 young.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.2 - 8.2; dH range: 5 - 20. Tropical; 24°C - 28°C Central America: Rio Panuco basin in Hidalgo, Mexico.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Trophic Level
3.1±0.4

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01047 × L3.14 (TL)
Max TL
7cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
24–28°C
pH Range
7.2–8.2
Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2018

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
27.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.1
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Lechner & Radda, 1987

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English sheepshead swordtail
🇪🇸Spanish espada del Tempoal

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Xiphophorus montezumae birchmanni Lechner & Radda 1987 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 4 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Sheepshead swordtail ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.